Factors influencing knowledge and self-reported application of Leave No Trace principles amongst rock climbers in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge

ABSTRACT

Leave No Trace (LNT) principles help reduce outdoor recreation users’ impacts on the natural and social environment.  Rock climbers and climbing organizations have recently embraced LNT principles yet, there is a distinct dearth of research associated with LNT practices and rock climbers’ adherence to LNT principles in their self-reported behaviours. The purpose of this applied study is to examine to what extent rock climbers know about LNT principles and how their self-reported behaviours may or may not be modified by this knowledge.  Using data collected via online survey of rock climbers, we fiund that an increase in knowledge of LNT principles correlates with an improvement in self-reported behaviours that are consistent with LNT principles.  Our study also presented the unexpected result that income may shape behaviours in the backcountry.  This information can provide insight for managers when addressing minimum impact techniques through outreach, interpretation and education.

KEYWORDS:

• Leave no trace
• recreation
• outdoor recreation behaviour
• climbing

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Access Fund and the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition for providing input on the survey and access to climbers. We also thank Eastern Kentucky University for providing support to conduct this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Eastern Kentucky University.

Notes on contributors

Ryan L. Sharp

Ryan L. Sharp, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University. He teaches and conducts research in the Park Management and Conservation program within the Horticulture and Natural Resources Department. Dr Sharp has worked extensively with park and protected area managers focusing primarily on issues related to understanding and mitigating visitor use impacts.

James N. Maples

Dr. James N. Maples is an associate professor of sociology at Eastern Kentucky University. His research interests include examining economic impacts, preservation in rural communities, social change, and applied survey design.

Katherine Gerlaugh

Dr. Katherine Gerlaugh is an assistant professor of sociology at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Her interests are environmental sociology and social change.